Foster carer call from Cheshire East Council

Foster carer call from Cheshire East Council

CHESHIRE East Council is looking for people to take on a highly-rewarding career and register their interest in becoming a foster carer.

The appeal for more carers comes during Foster Care Fortnight, a national campaign the authority is supporting.

Foster Care Fortnight takes place from May 13 to 27 and is the UK’s biggest foster carer recruitment drive, led by the charity The Fostering Network.

This year’s campaign theme is #changeafuture, which aims to highlight the positive differences foster carers can make to the futures of young people in care.

Foster4, the new shared foster carer recruitment service for Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Halton Borough Council and Warrington Borough Council, asked two young people who were in foster care to tell their stories.

“They welcomed me into their home and really got to know me and my needs, we always watched I’m a Celebrity together – just really typical stuff.

“They encouraged me to re-sit my GCSEs and spurred me on to do an apprenticeship in childcare, driving me to my placement in a nursery every day.

“They really did make sure I had the best possible chance of a happy and successful future.”

Naomi is 19. She said: “I was 17 when I spent six months in foster care.

“As soon as I met my foster carer Laura, I felt we got on really well – we have similar interests so I felt we were a good match.

“My first impressions were really positive; Laura was approachable, kind and caring.

“Laura was a single carer, so it was just us two and her cat. I enjoyed spending time with her –she brought me out of myself and made me feel more confident. I was given the freedom to spend time with my family if I wished.

“Laura was very supportive and helped me to find a job by helping with my CV and encouraging me to apply for roles. She also helped with practical things such as cooking and learning how to budget and pay bills, something which I’m grateful for now I’m living independently.

“More importantly, Laura helped me to be a better person. I still see her now and she remains a real source of support in my life.”

Mark Palethorpe, acting executive director of people at Cheshire East Council, said: “Choosing to become a foster carer is a fantastic, rewarding life choice and Cheshire East Council will continue to prioritise our search to recruit more local carers from all backgrounds and experiences across the borough.

“It’s heart-warming to hear such positive experiences from young care leavers like Sajana and Naomi, knowing we have a team of brilliant foster carers and that through their compassion and commitment, they are changing the future of children and young people.

“I urge anyone who is considering becoming a foster carer to make that call to Foster4 and start making a difference to children and young people in Cheshire East.”

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here